The Historic Houses Trust has recently been in the news after
criticism labeled at the organisation by Ian Evans a
Heritage Conservationist via
Crikey.com. The article, picked up by the ABC's 7.30 Report , calls for the
NSW State Government to sell off
under performing ( low visitor numbers, low income streams) historic houses managed by the Trust. Properties such as
Vaucluse House, Elizabeth Bay House, Government House and Rose
Seidler House, could, he argues, be sold to not only raise money for the State Government, but would
eliviate the issue of paying for their upkeep.
Evans
believes that changing attitudes and a new 'now' generation
uninterested in Historic properties has seen a decline in numbers and interest in the properties. The 'House Museum is Dead'.
His comments raise a series of very important questions faced by culture and cultural
institutions in time of
economic difficulty,
should heritage, art, opera, dance, music be supported by the government while factories close, jobs are lost and families face increasing
economic pressure.
But should we
all ways think of the money, can culture be reduced to a simple sum, should we sell and get what we can or does culture
transend money. At at time when some of the states greatest treasures are on display at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, it is timely to stop and think about the idea of 'value' and be brave in a time of crisis to stand up for cultural value over
financial value.
Jessica Moore
Collections Officer,
WPCC
